CAHS Newsletter #7: Exciting Events and Convention Updates!

Dear CAHS Member,

I always say the best part about being an aviation historian is all the great people you get to meet. This is true for my "real" work researching and writing articles and books, but it especially holds true for my CAHS work.

At this summer's convention - where many of these aviation heritage enthusiasts will come together in one place - I'm looking forward to meeting even more great people. I hope you'll be one of them!

Sincerely,

Danielle Metcalfe-Chenail

CAHS National President

www.daniellemc.com

National News

Convention

The 2011 Convention is coming up fast - June 22-26th – and plans are falling nicely into place.

If you’re a member, you should have received your convention registration package with the Fall 2010 Journal. You can also print a registration form at our website, www.cahs.ca, and access details about accommodations, car rental discounts, and events.

Thanks to those who have already sent in their registrations and proxy forms. Remember, mail your registration by May 15th and you’ll get a bag of coupons and gifts from businesses near the convention site!

A few updates:

This will be the Alberta Aviation Museum’s LAST Airfest and they are planning to go out with a bang. Friday the 24th they’re hosting a Swing Dance featuring a full 18-piece band playing music from the 1930s and ‘40s (please note this event's cost is not incl. in the full convention package).

That evening, the 408 Squadron will also be hosting its 70th anniversary on site – a great chance to reunite with some friends! Then during the fly-in event on Sunday, they've invited a number of aircraft including six from the Armed Forces and the Watson Family's two Harvards. Generally, 40-60 aircraft fly in for this great day!

TheAir Reunion that was meant to be held June 11-12 in Red Deer has now been moved to Edmonton during Airfest. With all these events, we should have a fantastic concentration of aviation enthusiasts!

Vintage Wings have confirmed which aircraft they’ll have in Edmonton during Airfest as part of their Yellow Wings tour: their new BCATP-era Stearman and Fleet Finch. Apparently their CF-86 Hawk One may also make a special appearance!

More details to come…

CAHS Online

Exec member Rachel Lea Heide has worked diligently over the past weeks and now we have a total of 1700 links to our site's directory. Since summer (and therefore air show season) is right around the corner, I'd like to highlight one of those links. Click here for a list of 2011 air shows in Canada!

If you plan on attending various aviation events and would like to promote the CAHS in the process, we'd be happy to send you brochures and past Journal issues to pass out. Please contact Rachel at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information.

We are still waiting on our web development company to complete the necessary work for the member's only sections of our website. As soon as it is running smoothly, we'll make an announcement. Thank you for your patience.

You should have recently received your Fall 2010 issue - the first one we've also released in PDF form to our new online members. So far the technology seems to be working, and we are pleased to be able to offer this option to our members.

The Journal team tells me they are wrapping things up on the Winter 2010 issue. I will continue to post on the website, Facebook, and Twitter when it is sent to the printers and mailing house. That seemed to work well last month!

Chapter News

Vancouver Chapter

Date: May 10, 2011

Time: 1900 hrs

Guest Speaker: Jim Jorgenson will show some videos of World War II aircraft

NOTE: This is the last meeting of the 2010-2011 Program Year and includes the CAHS Ottawa Chapter's Annual General Business Meeting and Election of Officers. Meetings resume on Thursday, 29 September 2011.

Manitoba Chapter

CAHS Manitoba is pleased to be involved with the Winnipeg Film Group's "Stories in the Skies" aviation film festival. The first show of the festival, the famous movie "Captains of the Clouds", will take the place of our May meeting on the 27th. The film will be introduced by Bill Zuk, and a short discussion will follow the film.

Afternoon shows start at 2 pm, and evening shows start at 7 pm. All films are at Cinemateque, 100 Arthur Street, in the Exchange.

CAHS members will receive a special rate of $6 per show, or $35 for the entire series. We will provide CAHS members with a voucher which you must present to receive the discount. The regular (general public) admission is $12 per show ($7 for seniors) and $50 for the series.

Sunday 29 May 7 pm - History in Our Skies / Bush Pilot: Reflections on a Canadian Myth / Northlander

Member News

John Chalmers was recently honoured by the Edmonton and District Historical Society for his tireless work promoting history through the society, his books, and Canada’s Aviation Hall of Fame. John is also on the board of the Alberta Aviation Museum and is organizing the day trip to Wetaskiwin during the 2011 CAHS Convention. Congrats, John!

John with Barni Tryggvason, former Canadian astronaut, who gave a presentation at the Alberta Aviation Museum April 29, 2011 about flying the Space Shuttle and the Silver Dart replica in 2009.

Gord McNulty had an article on Bill Wheeler published on YorkRegion.com this week. To read it, please click here.

Danielle Metcalfe-Chenail (that's me!) is giving a talk to the Polaris Chapter of Canadian Women in Aviation May 19th at 7pm in the upstairs classroom of the Edmonton Flying Club (49 Airport Rd. NW). Through a heavily illustrated Powerpoint show, she'll discuss her book, For the Love of Flying, and her recent travels to the Yukon and Northwest Territories in search of northern aviation history. The talk is free, open to the public, and there will be refreshments and door prizes! For more information, please contact me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Marc-André Valiquette, author and publisher of IMAVIATION, has announced that Vol. 3 of his (bilingual) Avro Canada and Arrow Books series is now available. To learn more or order your copy, please contact him at 514-862-0807 / 450-669-1808 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Dr. Stéphane Guevremont has just begun teaching a new summer course, "Canadian Aviation: A History," at the University of Calgary. Looks like a great syllabus!

Roger Beebe had an article on the Bristol 170 published in the latest issue of AviNation.

Chris Terry would like to share the following information about an organization he's involved with, the International Association of Transport and Communications Museums (IATM):

“IATM has existed for over 40 years. Its members are drawn from all around the world and include most of the major museums dedicated, in whole or in part, to transportation and communications. Consequently, the membership includes museums dedicated specifically to single modes of transport such as rail, aviation, automobiles or horse-drawn vehicles as well as larger institutions who cover them all. Individuals may also join as members.

IATM publishes a periodic Newsletter and professional Journal, it hosts a web site and every two years it holds a conference for anyone interested in transportation and communication in museums.

This year the bi-annual conference will be hosted by the London Transport Museum in London, England. It runs from Sunday, 26 June to 1 July. The programme will include presentations and discussions about running museum artifacts and restoring Bristol Beaufighter aircraft. It will feature tours to places of great interest to aviation buffs including the RAF Museum in north London and Brooklands, a place of great interest to those interested in aviation and automobiles. Details will be found at the “Calendar” tab at http://www.iatm.ws/. You do not need to be an IATM member to attend."

Mystery Airman ID!

Can you identify the airman – and CAHS member – in this photograph? The first person to email CAHS Director Richard Goette at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by Sunday, May 8th with the correct answer will receive a free drink from him at the June Convention plus an aviation themed book.

Note: the person in this photo may not identify himself (though Richard will buy him a drink at the Convention too)….

Happy guessing!

Readers Write Back

George Harper in Minnesota writes:

"Imagine, 75 years old and still making money! Buffalo Airways - possibly the last DC-3 passenger operation - still operates a daily scheduled DC-3 passenger service for residents in Canada’s Northwest Territories and is likely the last airline to do so… Take a look at the spare parts operation in their parts room in this EAA video.

Researcher-to-Researcher

CAHS member Will Chabun is looking for anyone who served at RCAF Station Saskatoon between 1952 and its closure in 1962. Please email him at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Steve Phillips is looking for maintenance and technical manuals for the Canadair F86 Sabre 6 with Orenda 14 engine. To get in touch, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Aviation videos about the Canada Aviation and Space Museum (Ottawa) collection can be found by clicking here.

Announcements and Events

6 Group Tour to England in October

The Great Canadian Travel Company is organizing a tour of all ten bases that hosted the squadrons of 6 Group (Bomber Command). The tour will depart from Winnipeg October 20, 2011 and the preliminary price is $2095 (double occupancy) for 9 nights, coach, museum admissions, tour group leader and farewell dinner. Air fare is not included and a $400 deposit is required by May 20th. For more information, please contact Christine Murray at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 204-949-3843.

95th Anniversary of Vimy & Canadian Battlefield Tour

From April 3 -14, 2012 you can tour several important battle sites in England and France with the CAA-Trafalgar Tours of Canada. The price is $2750 per person, land only. For more information, please contact Valerie Radwanski at 613-736-9696 x. 2634 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Operation Santa Claus Needs Your Help

Norman Leach of Calgary, Alberta is organizing a donation drive for the annual Canadian Armed Forces Operation Santa Claus. He writes the following:

"Whether they are sitting in a Forward Operating Base in Afghanistan or on a peace keeping mission each and every service person (over 4000 of them) gets a present from Operation Santa Claus (an official part of the Canadian Armed Forces). These special packages bring a feeling of home to those serving in remote Canadian locations and overseas.

For many members of the Forces the Op Santa Claus gift is the only one they will receive on Christmas Day. For others, the treasures they find in the boxes will be given out to children on patrol routes and at orphanages and hospitals across the globe.

I am asking you to help by donating new personal items like tube socks (a particular favourite) or company branded items that are no longer current (wondering what to do with the shirts from last year’s golf tournament? Now you know!) or items like playing cards and board games.

Items must be into Operation Santa Claus by mid August so they can make the long trip to Forces Personnel in remote locations around the world in time for December 25.

I am gathering up the donations here in Southern Alberta. Let me know what you might have, and I will see it gets to our troops. If you are not from Southern Alberta I will put you in touch with the right people.

Thanks in advance."

You can reach Norman at 403-279-8455 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Mark Your Calendars!

May 8: the Bomber Command Museum in Nanton, AB is holding its first Lancaster engine runs at 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. They will also be celebrating the 70th anniversary of the Lanc's maiden flight and honouring "Wop" May.

May 28-29: Wings and Wheels Heritage Festival at Toronto's Downsview Airport. Click here for more information.

June 15 - 18: Canadian Women in Aviation Conference in Montreal, QC. For more information, please click here.

June 26 - July 1: International Association of Transport and Communications Museums (IATM) Conference in London, England. Details will be found at the “Calendar” tab at http://www.iatm.ws/. You do not need to be an IATM member to attend.

July 23: Integra Air is hosting a reunion BBQ for Time Air employees in Lethbridge, AB. More information can be found at this link.

October 19 - 21: Canadian Council for Aviation & Aerospace (CCAA) Convention in Winnipeg, MB. More info at www.avaerocouncil.ca.

CAHF 2011 Induction Dinner Reminder

See our very own Bill Wheeler get inducted into Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame!

When: Thursday, May 26, 2011

Where: Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum in Mount Hope, ON

Ticket prices: $225 each or $2,500 for a table of eight

Accommodation: you can request CAHF rate at Courtyard by Marriott 905-383-7772 or Motel 6 905-679-3355

For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit the (newly redesigned) www.cahf.ca or contact David Crone This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 780-361-1351 (MT)

Skyward

Sam Woodend passed away on April 4, 2011 at the age of 84. The following excerpts are from his obituary in the Ottawa Citizen:

"Sam was born in Haileybury in Northern Ontario and worked in the bush and mines to pay his way through Queen's University where he studied physics and engineering. He joined the Operational Research and Analysis Establishment (ORAE) in 1951 and in the late-60's became Director of ORAE's Directorate of Land Operational Research in Ottawa.

In the late-1970s Sam became Director General, General Analysis in ORAE, and in the late-1980s, took over the management of ORAE. Sam retired in 1988 after almost 40 years of service in ORAE. A major inducement was his wife June's 60th birthday gift of flying lessons. Sam took up his new hobby of flying with his usual enthusiasm, and put his operational research skills to use in helping to organize a Civil Air Search and Rescue (CASARA) structure among fellow-enthusiasts.

After 10 years of flying Sam's eyesight began to deteriorate, he sold his Cessna 172 and moved on to other challenges including designing and building kayaks, and harps. Sam had a great love of being outdoors, and in addition to cycling, explored it winter and summer using many of the other traditional modes of transportation, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, canoeing, and sailing. Sam was a member of a vanishing breed, an enormously collegial man who ensured that everyone around him made the most of their work experience and in the process drew from them better performances."

Richard Philippon "passed quietly into the night in the early hours of Sunday, April 17, 2011.

Born June 5, 1928, Richard was predeceased by his loving wife Viola late last year and leaves five children. He will be sadly missed & remembered with love.

As a young man, Richard built the first truck mounted ferris wheel in North America and traveled with Casey Shows midway. It was during this period that he met Viola in Regina and they were married in Richard’s home town of St. Vital, Winnipeg in 1952. Together, they built a thriving small business, St. Vital Welding & Machine, which they operated until 2009. Richard also had a passion for flying and in 1965 he bought his first of many airplanes. It was a sad day for him when he could no longer soar among the clouds."

Cedric Mah died April 29, 2011 in Edmonton. His obituary can be found by clicking here, but I wanted to include some thoughts sent in by CAHS members who knew Cedric and wrote about his incredible aviation achievements.

John Chalmers writes:

"In my association with aviation matters, I frequently have the opportunity to meet with veteran flyers of both the Second World War and other fields of aviation. I consider it a privilege to spend time with such people, and Cedric Mah was one of them. I always enjoyed hearing his stories and marvel at the accomplishments of both himself and his late brother Al Mah, both exceptional pilots with incredible accomplishments to their name. They rose above the prejudice of the times to make outstanding contributions in their careers as pilots. Cedric is one of those who has helped to build our aviation heritage, and will be remembered with fondness by all who knew him. Fly on, Cedric, the skies are all yours."

Shirlee Smith Matheson writes:

"My biography about Ced contained in Flying the Frontiers Vol. III and titled “So, What Do You Want To Do? Live Forever?” is “my” memorial to Ced, with wonderful memories of a friend.

He frequently wrote me letters and sent packages of stuff which are in the Shirlee Smith Matheson “fonds” at the University of Calgary, in Special Collections, should copies be ever required for a collective."

{tag:email}, I hope you enjoyed this newsletter. If it was forwarded to you by a friend or colleague, please be sure to go to www.cahs.ca and sign up to keep receiving it. If you have any questions, comments, or submissions, you can send them to me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Thanks for reading!